Last week, an NYSDOT crew member getting ready to mow near mile marker 50 on Interstate 84 in East Fishkill heard what sounded like a dog barking in the nearby woods. Soon a young dog that showed signs of prior neglect was found tied to a tree. Officials believed the dog had been tied up for a while.

“He was very happy and excited to see anyone,” Dutchess County SPCA Executive Director Lynne Meloccaro told The Dodo. “He had been there for quite a while in 100-plus [degree] weather. He’s clearly got a strong will to live.”

The dog was being treated by the Dutchess County SPCA and despite the story breaking last week and being shared on social media in the Hudson Valley officials are still trying to find the animal’s owner.

At first, the dog, that staff named Pesci, seemed to be in improving health and was very friendly.

"The staffers there were dumbfounded by how anyone could have abandoned such a happy, upbeat dog. Even after everything he’d been through, he was so thrilled to meet all of his new friends, and didn’t seem to be scared of people one bit," Caitlin Jill Anders wrote in an article about Pesci on Dodo.

Sadly, this week's Pesci's health took a drastic turn for the worse. Wednesday evening he passed away from injuries he'd sustained while being left abandoned and tied to a tree, Kathleen Greenier Howard confirmed in a fundraiser she started for the Dutchess County SPCA in memory of Pesci. You can donate by CLICKING HERE.

Pesci suffered from a perforated esophagus and collapsed trachea which officials believed were caused for him trying to escape while tied up.

Police are still trying to find the person or people responsible. Anyone with information regarding the possible history of this animal or its owners is asked to please contact the New York State Police at State Police in East Fishkill at (845) 677-7300. Please reference case# 9050766.